| 11/26/2012 |
| City to consider zoning rule changes |
| By CHUCK CLEMENT, Staff Reporter |
The Madison City Commission next week will consider changes to the rules and policies used by the municipal planning and zoning committee that include the expansion of zoned areas which can provide a conditional-use permit for hospital construction.
Current zoning rules allow the planning committee to approve conditional-use permits for health-care clinics in areas zoned as neighborhood business, highway business and general business, but the ordinance does not list hospitals as an option to receive conditional-use permits. Comes described the proposed addition of hospitals as "more of a housekeeping item." A second change to rules for the planning commission would allow the appointment of first- and second-alternate members to the board of adjustment. The commission meets on a monthly basis and wants to be assured that its board of adjustment has a quorum with a supermajority when the board needs to make a speedy decision concerning appeals. The planning commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The new ordinance would make an ex-officio member of the city commission the first alternate to the board of adjustment. It would also allow the mayor to appoint a second alternate with approval from the planning commissioners. David Jencks, city attorney, told the city commissioners that an alternate would not serve on the board unless he or she was needed. The planning commissioners also offered two changes to ordinances regarding fences. These changes are intended to allow solid, full-height fencing in the rear yards of corner lots. The city commissioners will need to hear the second reading of the proposed changes before they are officially approved.
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